Abstract
The integument of insects in composed mainly of chitin and proteins 1,2. Maintenance of normal life functions requires that cuticular structures are sclerotized, either in smaller parts, such as mandibles, or in larger areas for the construction of the exoskeleton. Sclerotization of the insect cuticle actually results from the incorporation of diphenolic compounds into the outer parts of the integument. Due to the classical work of Karlson and his school 3,4, it is well established that N-acetyldopamine is an essential component of the sclerotization system in many insects. More recently, N-β-alanyldopamine has been discovered as another sclerotization agent 5.
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© 1986 Plenum Press, New York
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Peter, M.G., Kegel, G., Keller, R. (1986). Structural Studies on Sclerotized Insect Cuticle. In: Muzzarelli, R., Jeuniaux, C., Gooday, G.W. (eds) Chitin in Nature and Technology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2167-5_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2167-5_4
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